Latest news with #artificialsweeteners
The Independent
6 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Drinking Diet Coke has been tied to heart health risks. Here's what you should know
Drinking Diet Coke and other similar beverages may be associated with a higher risk of heart attack and stroke, among other health issues, according to new research. Although the reason remains unclear, some scientists say the drink's artificial sweeteners may trigger inflammation and alter metabolism, gut and blood vessels. Researchers at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health said the sweeteners may promote type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and unhealthy cholesterol levels. 'Do not take it for granted that drinking low-sugar and low-calorie artificially sweetened beverages is healthy, it may pose potential health risks,' Dr. Ningjian Wang, a researcher at the Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital in China, said in a statement. People with diabetes or those trying to lose weight may turn to artificial sweeteners and could already be at risk for potential problems. But the overall message from medical professionals is clear. A study from U.C. Irvine found people who consumed the most artificial sweeteners had a 9 percent higher risk for cardiovascular disease and an 18 percent greater risk for stroke or other disease. The American Heart Association found that adults who drink about two liters or more of artificially sweetened drinks per week had a higher risk of an irregular heartbeat. "Avoiding added artificial sugars makes sense, and this study helps to support that," UC Irvine health cardiologist Dr. Elizabeth H. Dineen said. Several sweeteners appear to be the most problematic, including those used in Diet Coke and Coke Zero, researchers found. A request for comment from Coca-Cola was not immediately returned. The sweetener aspartame — which is also widely known as the brand Equal — and sucralose, or Splenda, have been linked to a higher risk of stroke and coronary artery disease. Aspartame is also used in chewing gum, ice cream, cereal, cough drops, and yogurt. It's 200 times sweeter than regular sugar and was approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a general-purpose sweetener in 1996. It is widely recognized as one of the most researched ingredients in the world. The FDA says it disagrees with conclusions that studies support classifying aspartame as a possible carcinogen to humans. 'Scientific evidence has continued to support the FDA's conclusion that aspartame is safe for the general population when made under good manufacturing practices and used under the approved conditions of use,' the agency says. 'The assessments of aspartame have indicated that, while safety is not a major concern at the doses which are commonly used, potential effects have been described that need to be investigated by more and better studies,' the World Health Organization's Dr. Francesco Branco said. That doesn't mean people cannot consume it. Moderate use should be fine. Coca-Cola notes that people with the rare hereditary disorder phenylketonuria should strictly limit their intake of phenylalanine: a common amino acid found in aspartame. 'A 2022 study found that people who consumed higher amounts of aspartame had a slightly higher risk overall of developing cancer, especially breast cancer and obesity-related cancers. However, it is unclear precisely what amount of aspartame a person would need to consume over time to increase their risk of developing cancer,' City of Hope Orange County Lennar Foundation Cancer Center oncologist Dr. Misagh Karimi said. So, how much is too much? Just a couple of drinks may increase your risk for negative health outcomes, Michelle Routhenstein, a New York-based registered dietitian who specializes in heart disease, told Fox News Digital.
Fox News
31-05-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Experts say quitting Diet Coke can improve heart health and gut balance
It may have zero calories and no added sugar, but experts say Diet Coke is not generally considered a healthy beverage. Previous studies have linked diet soda in general to increased metabolic and cardiovascular risks, among other health effects. "Research shows that drinking two or more artificially sweetened beverages per day may increase the risk of heart disease and stroke," Michelle Routhenstein, a New York-based registered dietitian who specializes in heart disease, told Fox News Digital. "Another study showed that just one diet soda increases the risk of Afib, an irregular heartbeat that increases the risk of vascular events, like stroke." Some studies show this may be due to how artificial sweeteners are processed in the body and the metabolites they produce, Routhenstein said, while other research suggests that diet sodas may negatively change the balance of gut bacteria, which plays a role in chronic disease. "Many of my clients who have ditched Diet Coke mention how they never realized how addictive it can be," she added. Tanya Freirich, a registered dietitian nutritionist in Charlotte, North Carolina, noted that Diet Coke contains artificial sweeteners that have been linked to weight gain and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. "Aspartame, the artificial sweetener in Diet Coke, has been labeled as possibly carcinogenic by the World Health Organization and may negatively affect our gut microbiome," she said in an interview with Fox News Digital. Many industry experts maintain that aspartame is still safe for consumption, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In 2023, the FDA issued the below statement on its position on aspartame. "Aspartame is one of the most studied food additives in the human food supply. FDA scientists do not have safety concerns when aspartame is used under the approved conditions," the agency said. "The sweetener is approved in many countries. Regulatory and scientific authorities, such as Health Canada and the European Food Safety Authority have evaluated aspartame and also consider it safe at current permitted use levels." Fox News Digital reached out to Coca-Cola for comment. Routhenstein recommends swapping diet soda for a more health-conscious choice. "While it may be hard to find an exact alternative that meets the taste, carbonation and mouth feel, there are other healthier alternatives to consider," she told Fox News Digital. One of Routhenstein's suggestions is low-sugar kombucha, a fermented tea that offers gut-promoting benefits. Freirich echoed the benefits of kombucha as a source of probiotics, which are beneficial for gut health. "You can also add a splash of lime or lemon to carbonated water, adding vitamin C for immune and heart health," Routhenstein suggested. Sparkling green tea is another option, as it offers carbonation while still providing anti-inflammatory benefits, according to the above source. For those who prefer "bubbly" drinks, Freirich also recommends choosing unflavored seltzer water or lightly sweetened carbonated beverages. "If you are interested in the caffeine of Diet Coke, I recommend replacing it with lightly sweetened tea or coffee," she suggested. "These are a great source of natural antioxidants and some caffeine. Green tea in particular is incredibly anti-inflammatory." For more Lifestyle articles, visit The best option of all, however, is plain water, experts agree. "Many of us could benefit from drinking a little more water in our day," Freirich said. "Hydration is important for energy, good digestion and the health of our hair, skin and nails."
Health Line
21-05-2025
- Health
- Health Line
Is Coke Zero Bad for You?
Coke Zero is calorie-free but has no nutritional value. While drinks with artificial sweeteners may have negative long-term effects, such as increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes, more research is needed. Coke Zero, recently rebranded as Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, is marketed as a healthier version of the original sugar-sweetened beverage, Coca-Cola Classic. It contains zero calories and sugar while providing the signature Coca-Cola flavor, appealing to those trying to reduce their sugar intake or control their weight. This article takes a detailed look at Coke Zero and explains whether it's a healthy choice. Zero nutritional value Coke Zero does not provide any calories and is not a significant source of nutrition. One 12-ounce (354-ml) can of Coca-Cola Zero Sugar (Coke Zero) offers: Calories: 0 Fat: 0 grams Protein: 0 grams Sugar: 0 grams Sodium: 2% of the Daily Value (DV) Potassium: 2% of the DV Artificial sweeteners are used to sweeten this beverage without adding calories. The health effects of artificial sweeteners are controversial, and concerns regarding their safety are growing. Though the research is inconsistent, some studies find that the use of artificial sweeteners may contribute to the development of obesity and metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions that increase disease risk. Coca-Cola Zero Sugar (Coke Zero) uses several common artificial sweeteners, including aspartame and acesulfame potassium (Ace-K). The remaining ingredients are carbonated water, caramel color, food additives, and natural flavors. The only differences between Coke Zero and the new rebrand Coca-Cola Zero Sugar are minor changes to the natural flavor composition. Artificial sweeteners and weight loss Research results on the effects of Coke Zero and other artificially sweetened beverages on weight loss are mixed. In a 2023 52-week study of 493 adults, researchers found that compared to people who drank water, those who consumed beverages with non-nutritive sweeteners lost more weight over the study period, an average of 16.5 pounds (7.5 kilograms), compared to those who drank water, who lost an average of 13.4 pounds (6.1 kg). However, a similar 2023 study that lasted 12 weeks found no difference in weight loss among participants who drank water versus beverages with non-nutritive sweeteners. The researchers also examined other metrics, like waist circumference, but found no significant differences. The non-nutritive sweetener group lost slightly more to their waist circumference, but the difference was about 1 centimeter (cm). A 2023 review of research that looked at multiple studies suggests that non-nutritive sweeteners have no immediate effects on the metabolic or endocrine systems. The evidence on the effects of artificially sweetened beverages on weight management is conflicting, and more research is needed. Long-term research is also needed to determine if artificial sweeteners may influence the body in ways other than calorie intake. Diet sodas and tooth erosion Similarly to regular soda, drinking diet sodas like Coke Zero is associated with an increased risk of tooth erosion. One of the main ingredients in Coke Zero is phosphoric acid. One 2002 study on human teeth noted phosphoric acid causes mild enamel and tooth erosion. An older study from 2015 observed that Coca-Cola Light (Diet Coke), which differs from Coke Zero only in that it contains both phosphoric and citric acid, caused enamel and tooth erosion in freshly extracted cow's teeth in just 3 minutes. Still, the same 2002 study suggests that citric acid erodes teeth more than phosphoric acid, which suggests that Coke Zero may affect tooth enamel slightly less than Diet Coke. Diet Coke had less erosive effects than other beverages, such as Sprite, orange juice, and apple juice. Coke Zero and diabetes risk Coke Zero is sugar-free. However, the sugar substitutes it contains may not necessarily be a better option for people looking to reduce their risk of diabetes. A large 2023 study involving 105,588 participants with a follow-up of 9.1 years suggests that consuming non-nutritive sweeteners is associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. A 2024 review of research suggests non-nutritive sweeteners may negatively affect the gut microbiome, or the helpful bacteria that live in your gut and aid digestion, potentially affecting metabolic health and contributing to diabetes risk and worse outcomes for people with diabetes. The results from these studies don't provide an exact explanation of how artificially sweetened beverages increase your risk of diabetes. Therefore, more research is needed. Other potential downsides Artificially sweetened beverages like Coke Zero have been linked to other health issues, including: Increased risk of heart disease: An observational study found a link between artificially sweetened beverages and an increased risk of heart disease among women with no prior history of heart disease. Increased risk of kidney disease: Soda's high phosphorus content may damage kidneys. A 2017 study noted that those who drink more than 7 glasses of diet soda per week nearly double their risk of kidney disease. Could alter your gut microbiome: Artificially sweetened beverages may alter your gut microbiome, potentially negatively affecting blood sugar management. Further research is needed to determine the exact effects of Coke Zero and other diet beverages on your health.
